Extendible and retractable partition assembly for display shelving

ABSTRACT

An extendible and retractable partition assembly for display shelving is detailed. The partition structure is more particularly a binning and banding partition for use with shelving and counter tops for segregating displayed merchandise. Identically formed linearly extending partition members are slidably connected to linearly extending coupling means to form the extendible and retractable partition structure.

United States Patent 1 51 3,692,191 Moore 1451 Sept. 19, 1972 EXTENDIBLEAND RETRACTABLE 2,392,551 l/ 1946 Roe ..52/5 86 PARTITION ASSEMBLY FORDISPLAY 2,986,315 5/1961 Zimmerman ..21 Ill 84 X SHELVING 3,501,0193/1970 Armstrong et al ..21 1/184 3,501,020 3/1970 Krikorian ..2l1/184[721 Invent i Moore, Harden Drlve, 3,559,815 2/1971 l-luppleston ..211/184 Pittsburgh, Pa. 15229 22 p d; N Primary Examiner-Ramon S. Britts 1l e m 1970 Attorney-Partnelee, Utzler & Welsh 21 App]. No.: 86,031

[57] ABSTRACT 52 11.5. C1 ..2l1/184, 312/1404 An extendible andretractable Partition assembly for 511 1m. (:1. ..A47b 96/04, A47f 3/00,A47f 5/10 display Shelving is F The 99 is [58] Field of Search.....2ll/184 175- 312/1404 138 more Pamwlarly a bimmg and bandmg 52/143 29 21749/125 41 l x410 use with shelving and counter tops for segregatmg d1si93 R played merchandise. ldentically formed linearly extending partitionmembers are slidably connected to linearly extending coupling means toform the extendi- [56], References (med ble and retractable partitionstructure.

2,181,812 11/1939 Kammerer ..52/586 x a PATENTED SEP 19 I972 SHEET 1 [IF2 INVENTOR. DA v/o M. MOORE y v M MkI/M I J I Illl'lllllllllll'l lllllllll lull-ll Ar rorneys EXTENDIBLE AND RETRACTABLE PARTITION ASSEMBLYFOR DISPLAY SHELVING BACKGROUND OF THE INVENTION termed a bandingstructure. A partition arranged to form dividers separating merchandisedisplay areas into bins is termed a binning structure. A recent advancein merchandise display partitions has been the substitution of plasticpartitions for the formerly used glass members. The plastic partitionsgenerally have a latticed structure to minimize material costs, yeteffectively'segregate the displayed merchandise.

It is desirable from both a manufacturers and a purchasers position tobe able to purchase partition structures which are extendible andretractable to be used with a variety of counter and shelf dimensions.This will reduce the variety of such structures which should bestockpiled, and will facilitate set-up of a partitioned counter andshelf. The partitions will also .be reusable in any number of variety ofset-ups wherein the partition must be extended or retracted.

In some prior art structures, the partition members mate with each otherin such a way that it requires male and female,.or left and right handparts for slidable engagement, as for example, one member with a grooveand one with a tongue. This requires two different molds and thestocking of two different parts, both by the manufacturer and by thecustomer or end user.

It is desirable from a manufacturers point of view that the partitionstructure be as simple as possible while maintaining the structuralintegrity of the partition.

SUMMARY OF THE INVENTION An extendible and retractable partitionstructure has been provided for use in segregating merchandise ordisplay counters and shelves. The partition structure comprises a pairof elongated linearly extending partition members including first guidemeans, and an elongated, linearly extending coupling member includingsecond guide means which are slidably interconnectable with the firstguide means of each partition member. The partition members are thusassembled in parallel, contiguous relationship and are slidable relativeto each other and relative to the coupling member to effect extensionand retraction. This allows the partition structure to be utilized insituations calling for a wide variety of partition dimensions rangingfrom the length of one partition member in the fully retracted position,to the length of the two partition members in the fully extendedposition.

The intermediate or coupling member enables a slidable partitionstructure to be manufactured with both partition members the same,thereby reducing inventory requirements for both manufacturer and enduser and facilitating the in situ arrangement of display counters.

BRIEF DESCRIPTION OF THE DRAWINGS FIG. 1 is aview in elevation of anassembled extendible and retractable partition structure according tothe present invention wherein the structure is almost fully expanded;

FIG. 2 is a view in section along the line II--II of FIG.

FIG. 3 is an elevational view of one of the unassembled portions whichmake up a partition structure;

' FIG. 4 is an end view of the structure shown in FIG.

FIG. 4a is an end view of a modified embodiment of the structure shownin FIGS. 3 and 4;

FIG. 5 is a perspective view of the embodiment of the collecting memberwhich is shown assembled in FIG. 2;

FIG. 6 is a partial elevation view showing a connection between endmembers of a plurality of an extendible partition structure;

FIG. 7 is a view partly in section along lines VII-VII in FIG. 6;

FIG. 8 is a fragmentary. view of a modified end portion of theextendible and retractable partition structure shown in FIGS. 1 and 3;and y 7 FIG. 9 is a fragmentary view of another embodiment of an endportion for the extendible and retractable partition structure shown inFIGS. 1 and 3.

DESCRIPTION OF TH E PREFERRED EMBODIMENTS .term identical as used hereinmeans the identical orientation, .i.e., there are no left hand and righthand members, or male and female members. The vertical body portion 12preferably has a grid or lattice structure of any predetermined design.

Each partition member 11 as is best seen in FIG. 2 includes a baseportion 13 which is formed integral therewith, and which extends alongthe length of the partition member 11. One side 14 of the base portion13 is flush with one side 15 of the vertical body portion 12, while theother side 16 of the base portion 13 is broadened or flanged beyond theother side 17 of the vertical body portion 12. The bottom 18 of the baseportion 13 is planar to rest upon a supporting structure such as a shelfor counterto provide structural support. The base portion 13 hasintegrally formed first guide means 19 included therewith. The firstguide means 19 is defined by formingthe base portion to define aninterior channel 20. The interior channel 20 preferably has anapproximately square cross-section. The base portion 13 is formed sothat the interior channel 20 extends to each end of the base portion.The base portion 13 is formed to also define a narrowed opening portion21 directed from base side 14 to the interior channel 20.

A linearly extending connecting member 22 best shown in FIG. 5, joinsthe linearly extending partition members 11 as is best seen in FIG. 2.The connecting member 22 comprises a central web or body portion 23 andcontinuous parallel beads constituting second guide means 24 alongopposite sides of, and coextensive with the web 23. The second guidemeans 24 are dimensioned to slidably and snugly fit the interior channel20 provided in the base 13 of the partition members 11. The second guidemeans 24 are preferably generally circular in cross-section. The firstguide means 19 and second guide means 24 can be shaped other than asshown as long as they are generally conjugately shaped to allow mutualslidable engagement.

The assembly of the expandible or retractable partition structure isperhaps most clearly shown in FIG. 2. The connecting member 22 isslidably inserted into the first guide means 19 formed in the baseportion 13 of the partition members 11. The generally circularcross-section second guide means 24 slidably fits the interior channel20 of each partition member 11. The flattened central body portion 23 ofthe connecting member 22 slidably fits the narrowed opening portion 21of each partition member 11. Each partition member 11 is independentlyslidable relative to the connecting member 22 to effect the extension orretraction of the partition structure, while lateral movement isrestrained.

It will be readily appreciated that the present partition structure hasgood structural rigidity resulting from the large area of contactbetween the coupling means and the partitions along the length of thecoupling means, with the contact being the greatest in the center of thestructure where it is most desirable. Further structural stability ishad from the broadened base portion of the partition members which onthe assembled structure cooperate to form a broad supporting base.

The structure described, with identical partition members eliminates theneed for a separate molding or stamping set-up, and the need to keeptrack of mating sections. The structure is very easily assembled.

In a particular embodiment of the present invention illustrated in FIG.4a, the vertical body portion 120 is inclined at a slight predeterminedangle from the perpendicular toward the flush base side 14. Theresilience of each vertical body portion is such that when slidablyinserted onto the connecting member they are biased toward each othergiving further rigidity to the partition structure.

In FIGS. 6 and 7 is illustrated a means of connecting together aplurality of such extendible and retractable partition structures 10. Aunion member 25 is connectable to the ends of vertical body portions 12of the partition structure 10.

It can be appreciated that any number of individually extendible andretractable partition structures can thus be assembled together to forma longer partition or counter edge.

It has been found desirable to provide a resilient anchoring means atthe end of the partition structure 10 already described. Two distinctembodiments for anchoring means a degree of resiliency. The verticallyextending leg 26 fits into a shelf aperture or in a slot provided in acounter molding. A further mounting means is shown as a downwardlyextending post 28 which extends from the bottom 18 of base 13. The post28 fits into an aperture or slotted shelf to increase the rigidity ofthe partition structure. In FIG. 9 the resilient anchoring means isfurther modified by the provision of a horizontally extending leg 29which extends from the vertical leg 30 which is joined to the verticalbody portion 12. A clamping means or hook 31 terminates the horizontallyextending leg 29, and is adapted to clamp onto a counter edge ormolding.

The resilient anchorings means shown in FIG. 9 also includes avertically directed resilient member 32 which extends upward fromhorizontally extending leg 29, proximate the leg 30 and end portion ofthe vertical body portion 12 of the partition structure. The resilientmember 32 is inclined at a slight angle from the perpendicular to theleg 29 and the base of the partition structure, directed toward the endportion of the partition structure. The top portion 33 of resilientmember 32 is curved back away from the end portion of the partitionstructure to facilitate forceable insertion of the banding structure 34.The linearly extending banding structure 34 of predetermined heightthickness is thus frictionally supportable between the resilient member32 and the end portion of the partition structure. Such bandingstructures are well known in the art and would extend between two suchpartition structures to form the edge of the display area. It isapparent that such a resilient member, for attachment of a bandingstructure to a partition structure, can be part of any conventionaldesign anchor portion which extends beyond the end of the partitionstructure.

I claim:

1. An extendible and retractable partition structure for displayshelving and the like comprising:

a. a pair of elongated partition members each comprising a verticalplanar body portion and a generally horizontal base portion integraltherewith extending along the length of said partition member, thevertical extent of the vertical body portion being substantially greaterthan the transverse horizontal extent of the horizontal base portion,said partition members are disposed in parallel contiguous relationshipin slidable contact with each other, with one side of the base portionbeing flush with a side of the vertical body portion, and integral firstguide means comprising an interior channel defined by the base portion,said interior channel opening from both ends of said base portion andfrom the side base portion flush with the side of the vertical bodyportion in opposed relationship to the channel opening in the other ofsaid partition members;

b. an elongated coupling member including second guide means which areslidably interconnected with the first guide means of each partitionmember;

c. anchoring means included at one end of each elongated partitionmember extending from the vertical body portion generally in thesamevertical plane as the vertical body portion, whereby when the pair ofelongated partition members are connected in parallel contiguousrelationship each end of the partition structure can be attached to asupport structure.

2. The structure as specified in claim 1, wherein said anchoring meansincludes a vertically extending resilient member which extends proximatean end portion of said elongated partition member whereby a bandingstructure is frictionally supportable between said resilient member andthe end portion of said elongated partition member.

3. The structure as specified in claim 2, wherein said verticallyextending resilient member is inclined at a slight angle to theperpendicular to the anchor means, and toward the end portion of thepartition structure.

4. The structure as specified in claim 3, wherein the top portion ofsaid vertically extending resilient member is curved back away from theend portion of the partition structure.

5. The structure as specified in claim 1, wherein at least one end ofsaid partition structure includes means for connection to another suchextendible and retractable partition structure.

6. The structure as specified in claim 1 wherein one side of said baseportion is broadened beyond the side of said vertical body portion, withthe broadened bottom surface of said base portion being planar to restupon a supporting structure.

7. The structure as specified in claim I, wherein the side of thevertical body portion flush with the base portion side in inclined at apredetermined angle from the perpendicular to the generally flattenedbottom portion, toward the flush side, whereby when each partitionmember is slidably interconnected with said coupling member saidvertical body portions are biased toward each other.

8. The structure as specified in claim 1, wherein said coupling membercomprises a central body portion and said second guide means extend fromopposite ends of the central body portion.

9. The structure as specified in claim 1, wherein said second guidemeans are generally circular in cross-section.

10. The structure as specified in claim 1, wherein said interior channelhas a narrowed inlet portion extending inward from the flush base sideto a generally square cross-sectional portion which slidably receivesthe generally circular second guide means, and half of said central bodyportion slidably fits the narrowed inlet portion.

11. The structure as specified in claim 1 wherein said verticallydownwardly extending leg has a horizontally extending portion directedgenerally along the same line as said base portion of said binningstructure, said horizontally extending portion having means thereon forattaching said partition structure to a shelf or shelf molding.

It ic certified that error appeai's in the above-identified patent 1at531d Letters Patent are hereby corrected as shown below:

On the first page of the patent, insert data element (73) AssigneeArmstrong Store Fixture Corporation Pittsburgh, Pa.

Signed and sealed this 13th day of March 1973..

(SEAL) Attest:

EDWARD M.FLETCHER,JR. Attesting Officer ROBERT- GOTTSCHALK' lCommissioner of Patents

1. An extendible and retractable partition structure for displayshelving and the like comprising: a. a pair of elongated partitionmembers each comprising a vertical planar body portion and a generallyhorizontal base portion integral therewith extending along the length ofsaid partition member, the vertical extent of the vertical body portionbeing substantially greater than the transverse horizontal extent of thehorizontal base portion, said partition members are disposed in parallelcontiguous relationship in slidable contact with each other, with oneside of the base portion being flush with a side of the vertical bodyportion, and integral first guide means comprising an interior channeldefined by the base portion, said interior channel opening from bothends of said base portion and from the side base portion flush with theside of the vertical body portion in opposed relationship to the channelopening in the other of said partition members; b. an elongated couplingmember including second guide means which are slidably interconnectedwith the first guide means of each partition member; c. anchoring meansincluded at one end of each elongated partition member extending fromthe vertical body portion generally in the same vertical plane as thevertical body portion, whereby when the pair of elongated partitionmembers are connected in parallel contiguous relationship each end ofthe partition structure can be attached to a support structure.
 2. Thestructure as specified in claim 1, wherein said anchoring means includesa vertically extending resilient member which extends proximate an endportion of said elongated partition member whereby a banding structureis frictionally supportable between said resilient member and the endportion of said elongated partition member.
 3. The structure asspecified in claim 2, wherein said vertically extending resilient memberis inclined at a slight angle to the perpendicular to the anchor means,and toward the end portion of the partition structure.
 4. The structureas specified in claim 3, wherein the top portion of said verticallyextending resilient member is curved back away from the end portion ofthe partition structure.
 5. The structure as specified in claim 1,wherein at least one end of said partition structure includes means forconnection to another such extendible and retractable partitionstructure.
 6. The structure as specified in claim 1 wherein one side ofsaid base portion is broadened beyond the side of said vertical bodyportion, with the broadened bottom surface of said base portion beingplanar to rest upon a supporting structure.
 7. The structure asspecified in claim 1, wherein the side of the vertical body portionflush with the base portion side in inclined at a predetermined anglefrom the perpendicular to the generally flattened bottom portion, towardthe flush side, whereby when each partition member is slidablyinterconnected with said coupling member said vertical body portions arebiased toward each other.
 8. The structure as specified in claim 1,wherein said coupling member comprises a central body portion and saidsecond guide means extend from opposite ends of the central bodyportion.
 9. The structure as specified in claim 1, wherein said secondguide means are generally circular in cross-section.
 10. The structureas specified in claim 1, wherein said interior channel has a narrowedinlet portion extending inward from the flush base side to a generallysquare cross-sectional portion which slidably receives the generallycircular second guide means, and half of said central body portionslidably fits the narrowed inlet portion.
 11. The structure as specifiedin claim 1 wherein said vertically downwardly extending leg has ahorizontally extending portion directed generally along the same line assaid base portion of said binning structure, said horizontally extendingportion having means thereon for attaching said partition structure to ashelf or shelf molding.